Our team of coaches is headed by the charismatic Luis Machado. In his youth he was a top player in Portugal and, more recently, has been ranked in the top ten seniors with victories in a number of tournaments.

He has been working with Jonathan Markson Tennis for fifteen years

with great coaching skill, enthusiasm and dedication. He is a character who lives life to the full. When most people sleep, he can sometimes be found by the ocean catching fish for the excellent family restaurant he runs in the village.

Our manager is Vasco Portas, a highly qualified tennis coach who has been with us for eleven years. He ensures that guests have a trouble-free stay. He also takes care of merchandising,

racquet-hire, repairs and re-strings. His patience and charm on-court and

his willingness to help off-court are qualities much appreciated by our clients.

The courses cover systematically each tennis stroke. There is attention to fitness as well as technique, so that technical progress is underpinned by the ability to get into the right position for every shot. We deal also with the mental aspects of tennis. Participants learn how to overcome nerves and adopt a tougher mental attitude, that “killer instinct” which is so vital to success in sport. The programme will include some competitive play for most players. Our aim is to improve players in every area whilst maintaining a high level of enjoyment.

Instruction
The tennis course is a structured programme of fifteen hours of intensive instruction per week, designed for people of all ages and playing standards from beginners to the most advanced tournament players.

To ensure maximum progress and compatibility, participants will be divided, where possible, into groups according to approximate ability and age. Although players will generally be paired with people of similar standard, there will be opportunities to player with better players. The aim is to take home a more relaxed yet more authoritative game of tennis.

Technical Theme of  Instruction
 

In addition to the focus on basic technique, fitness and mental attitude, attention is given (particularly with more advanced players) to the ‘early ball technique’ practised brilliantly in the past by such illustrious players as McEnroe and Sampras and now by ‘greats’ such Federer and the Williams sisters.